Celebrating 50 Years Of Rocky's Daily Dinner Club In Townsend!
Author: Steven Ferriter, RMDC Community Outreach Coordinator
Celebrating 50 Years of Rocky's Daily Dinner Club in Townsend!
Steven Ferriter
RMDC Community Outreach Coordinator
Last week marked a significant milestone for the Daily Dinner Club in Townsend, as area seniors and Rocky staff celebrated the 50th anniversary of its operations.
The Daily Dinner Club has always been more than just a place to get lunch. It serves as a local social center for seniors in the area, where seniors can build friendships and create community networks, fulfilling the original vision of its founders half a century ago.
Congregate dining centers for seniors began emerging nationwide after the Federal Government provided funding through the Older Americans Act in the late 1960s. Known as RMDC at the time, Rocky quickly utilized this funding. According to former Rocky Executive Director Gene Leuwer, Rocky's Helena location was one of roughly ten pilot programs in the country when it opened in 1968.
Following the success of the Helena program, Rocky sought to extend congregate dining to rural communities, leveraging additional funding. "Our board and executive director at the time were very keen on making congregate dining, along with Meals on Wheels, available to the more rural communities," Leuwer explained. "As the Senior Nutrition Director, I was tasked with opening locations in Whitehall, Townsend, and Augusta. The community response was very enthusiastic, and within a year, we had meal programs running in all three areas."
Initially, establishing these meal programs involved partnering with local restaurants, which provided meals and space for congregate dining while also providing meals for deliveries. "It was different from today in that we would partner with local restaurants, paying them per meal for congregate dining in their restaurant space and the meals that would get delivered in the community, “said Leuwer. Today Rocky rents out the space that the Daily Dinner Club inhabits.
Carol Anderson, the current kitchen manager who began working at the Daily Dinner Club in 1989, values its deep-rooted presence in the community. "It has served the seniors of Townsend as a great place to meet your neighbors and have fellowship. Seniors tend to eat better with friends rather than on their own. I see a lot of positive changes with new attendees to the Daily Dinner Club who no longer eat alone and rely only on themselves for nutrition," Anderson shared.
This sentiment is echoed by regular attendees like Bonnie Berglind, a longtime Townsend resident. "I was always aware of the Daily Dinner Club and started coming for meals around 10 years ago. I enjoy the fellowship here, and for older people who are on their own, being able to come here to eat is very important. The meals are excellent, and Carol and her crew do a fantastic job," Berglind said.
For Susan Ramsey, the Daily Dinner Club has been a source of comfort during a challenging time. "When my husband died amid the COVID pandemic, I realized how lonesome things could become. As soon as the Daily Dinner Club reopened, I decided to start coming down. At first, I didn't know many people, so I brought a menu to church and organized what we now call 'Lutheran Lady's Day’ when we meet for lunch once a week. In addition to the ladies who come as a group, I have met new friends, some of whom have also lost their partners, and being able to talk about that challenge we share has been very helpful," Ramsey said.
The joy the Daily Dinner Club provides extends to its volunteers. Pam Sample, who loves her days volunteering, says, "I love working with Carol, Suzy, and Ruth who run the center. They make it so easy and fun. I try to take care of the little things they might not have time for, like doing dishes or organizing their community boards. Coming in keeps me busy and active, which is so important as you age. I would highly recommend volunteering here to anyone interested."
Are you interested in joining? The Daily Dinner Club is open to the public Monday through Friday from 7 am to 1 pm, with lunch being served from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm. Meals are $7 for those under 60 and a $5 donation is requested for those over 60.
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PhotoCredit: Steven Ferriter
Image 1 Caption: Bonnie Berglind
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Image 2 Caption: Ruthie Knowles
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Image 3 Caption: Susan Ramsey
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Image 4 Caption: From left: Pam Sample, Ruthie Knowles, Carol Anderson
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Image 5 Caption: Vic and Pam Sample
Photo Credits: Steven Ferriter
